Note: Our idea of a Romantic Getaway: Romance for us is to get totally away from it allsurrounded by pristine, beautiful nature, yet to have fine food and attentive service. Or to revel in the lap of total luxury at an exclusive authentically Panamanian beachresort.If the same appeals to you, then read on.

Coral Lodge

Coral Lodge on the Atlantic coast near the San Blas Islands- in the middle of nowhere, yet the facilities are fine andwell appointed. We love the “water villas”- over- the-water villas- each with a Jacuzzi in the bedroom and a private deck with a chaise lounge and chairs. You hear the waves lapping all day and you can jump in the ocean from the deck of your villa for a swim or just stay there all day feeling close to and embraced by nature. You don’t have to leave your villa andbe very happy. The dining room is beautifully done and you can breakfast on an outside terrace with 365 ocean views. The food is another attraction-mostly famous Peruvian cuisine and excellent.

Start out with a picnic on an island to yourselves: We highly recommend you choose their “San Blas Islandpicnic arrival”- after flying in to San Blas , you are taken by boat to a beautiful tropical island you have to yourselves for a gourmet picnic lunch for two and snorkeling gear to explore. What a way to begin your vacation- It doesn’t get better than this!

Buenaventura Bristol Hotel- 1.5 hours from Panama City on the Pacific Coast

This is Panama´s most luxurious beach resort and the only one on our list you can drive to from Panama City. A Leading Hotel of the World, The Buenaventura Bristol has elegant rooms, 8 large villaswith views of lakes, ocean and lush vegetation, pools and outdoor amenities. There are three fabulous restaurants with cuisine created by Cuquita Arias, Panama’smost renowned chef.This is a perfect romantic setting for honeymoons, weddings and anniversaries.

Punta Caracol is on Boca’s main island situated in a place where you see no other sign of man. The view of their over-the-water cabins set in the sea are so beautiful they were featured on the cover ofTravel and Leisure. The cabins look simple on the outside, but inside they are as luxurious as an eco-friendly lodging can be, with delightful design details and two stories.From the deck, all you can see is ocean, mangroves andmountains in the far distance. The snorkeling is good right from the cabins. The food is good and the dining is also in a outside terrace over the sea with 100% natural views.

Being in Bocas, you there are plenty of activities- you can boat over to take various excursions like diving and dolphin watching or for somenight lifeand shopping in the fun, laid backtown of Bocas.

Many regard the PearlIslands as the most beautiful islands in Panama and HaciendaDel Mar is a private island resort perched on a bluff on one of these spectacular islands. The sands are white, the sea is a deep indescribable blue and area home to world class fishing and some great diving destinations.

We love their Club House on the bluff with its large common areas including the dining terrace with wide open ocean and jungle views. Each meal a tucan comes down from a tree and perches nearby or even jump on our table for some crumbs- to see and experience these gorgeous exotic birds close up is priceless. The pool below is picture perfect. The cabins are tastefully appointed, each with its own view deckand made of bamboo so you feel comfortable yet close to nature

Conveniently located in Chiriqui province, Calamia is a great beach escape for those who are also exploring the Chiriqui Highlands. In Boca Chica on the Chiriqui coast, 40 minutes from the airport and another 20 minutesby water taxi,Calamia is a pristine paradise island with privatetwo beaches and nature all around. We loved the large bungalows – all of them have ocean viewsand a good sizeprivate terrace for private relaxing.You can hear the ocean and also from time to time howler monkeys in the jungle nearby. The décor is rustic chique. The dining pavillion has almost 365 views and the food is good with fresh and natural ingredients. The owners live nearby on the island- some greens come from their organic garden. Spa and massage services are also part of the Calamia experience.